Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence - Pine

Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence
2008 Pine-Richland Annual Report
1
2008 Pine-Richland Annual Report
3 > Mission
As Pine-Richland School District celebrates 50 years of success, the district is
moving forward with a vision of transformation, which is evident with the opening of the
4 > Upper Elementary School
Eden Hall Upper Elementary School building for grades four through six. The elementary
buildings now include kindergarten through third grade. The middle
6 > Technology &
school includes grades seven through eight and the high school
Communications
grades nine through 12. Along with this physical transformation of the
buildings, we are undergoing an academic transformation allowing
7 > Special Programs
9 > Budget Review
Pine-Richland to realize its vision as a leader in education.
How Pine-Richland carries out this vision is spelled out in the district’s
“Transformation Blueprint” document, which provides a strategic
10 > Academic Review
course for even higher levels of excellence. The goal is to provide
Pine-Richland graduates with a competitive advantage in the global marketplace.
14 > The Arts
There have been many successes, as a result of our work on the blueprint. Curriculum
18 > Alumni
mapping is ongoing K-12. Opportunities for students to engage in an ambitious
curriculum have been expanded through elementary reading enrichment and pre-AP
19 > Staff Recognition
courses in the middle and high school.
The blueprint has helped us to focus our professional development. The concepts and
21 > Sports in Review
ideas that our leadership team values are articulated and function as a point of common
ground in our discussions with staff, students and parents. They include the “Family
23 > New Initiatives
Model” for our primary schools, the “Community Model” for our upper elementary and
the “Mentoring Model” for our secondary schools.
The annual report highlights district successes along with student and staff achievements
during the 2007-2008 school year. I am very proud of our accomplishments, as we strive
to continually get better each and every day.
Enjoy the 2008 Pine-Richland Annual Report and congratulations to everyone highlighted
in this publication.
James C. Manley, Ph.D.
Superintendent
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Pine-Richland 2007-08 National Merit Scholars
Pine-Richland School District’s Mission: As a community of learners that cares intensely for each person, Pine-Richland creates a
strong academic foundation and enables students to realize individual strengths and passions toward their life’s fulfillment.
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Pine-Richland School District...
> Ranks among the top four percent of high schools in the
U.S. in Newsweek’s 1,000 best high schools.
> Ranks ninth out of 105 school districts in the Pittsburgh
Business Times Guide to Western PA Schools in 2008.
> Ranks 26th out of 498 school districts in Pennsylvania in the
Pittsburgh Business Times Guide to Western PA Schools in
2008.
Guide to Weste
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> Achieved higher College Board SAT scores than schools across
the US and state in 2008 with a near 91% participation rate.
> Earned an “Award of Excellence” in the National School Public
Relations Association’s annual publication contest for the
2007-2008 PRSD Activities Calendar From Past to Present:
Celebrating 50 Years. Judges issued only 11 awards of
excellence in the US & Canada in this category. Only one other
district in PA earned an “Award of Excellence” in this category.
> Earned “Awards of Excellence” from the Pennsylvania School
Public Relations Association’s and the Pennsylvania School
Boards Association’s publication contests for its activities
calendar and its annual report.
> Received a “Standard of Excellence” Award from the Pennsylvania
Family and Consumer Sciences Association for having the best
Family and Consumer Sciences Department at the middle school,
among middle and high schools in the state.
> Earned the National Association of Student Councils “2008
National Gold Council of Excellence Award” for exemplary record
of leadership, service and activities that serve to improve the school
and community through the PRMS Student Council program.
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2008 Pine-Richland Annual Report
An Invitation
to
t h e
C o mm u n i t y
“Eden Hall Farm has been a landmark in the community for the past
70 years,” said Robert Cooper,
Eden Hall Upper Elementary
principal. “Although the purpose of
the Mueller estate has changed in
some ways, the memory and positive character of Mueller can live
on. Students in Pine-Richland need
examples of character and values
in which to model their own lives.
Knowing the history of the land on
which the new school sits can become a vehicle towards that goal.”
Eden Hall Upper Elementary School Opens Doors
The Pine-Richland School District’s dream to create a building
around a program is being realized, as it celebrates the opening
of Eden Hall Upper Elementary School for students in grades
four through six. The community is invited to an official dedication
program scheduled for 2 p.m. on November 2, 2008 and an
inaugural gala 6:30 p.m. on November 8, 2008.
Eden Hall
Ensemble
Program
The Eden Hall
ensemble program
offers more
opportunities for
students while
promoting
enrichment in:
Band
Chorus
Musical Theater
Orchestra
Dance
Recorder
Guitar
4
While construction was just completed,
planning and designing the 189,000
square-foot school began more than
four years ago. Programming needs
drove the architectural design of the
school. Although Eden Hall is a large
building with a capacity for more than
1,200 students, the academic space was
designed to provide an intimate learning
environment. The building is divided into
two communities to promote a team
teaching concept.
Within each community are two
neighborhoods made up of grade
level houses of four classrooms with
common collaborative space. This
design allows teachers to bond with
the students and develop knowledge
of their academic strengths and needs.
Services common to the grade levels are
centrally located. Space is provided for
speech and language services, special
education, computer laboratories and
foreign language instruction in an area central to the classroom
neighborhoods.
Eden Hall Upper Elementary School is the first building in PRSD
to be built or remodeled, since the unprecedented events of
September 11, 2001. This tragedy and other incidents, in schools
across the country, have made educational leaders more aware of
school security and the need to ensure the safety of the students
and staff at all times. The most noticeable security feature of the
building is the main entrance’s enclosed entry. The front office
staff will be able to electronically monitor and lock doors. Other
safety measures include a separate entrance for buses to use and
parents to drop off and pick up their children. Also, state-of-the-art
surveillance cameras are used throughout the campus.
What’s in a Name?
The district named Eden Hall’s
“Exploratorium” after Sebastian
Mueller, a Heinz executive who
founded Eden Hall Farm in
the 1930s. This large group
instruction facility is unique,
because it features retractable
seating and a flat floor allowing
entire grade levels to occupy the
space at once.
E d e n H a l l U pp e r E l e m e n t a r y S c h o o l
Building’s Interior & Exterior:
From Past to Present
> The white, exterior brick resembles an old farmhouse that once
stood on the site.
> The brickwork symbolizes the state-of-the-art technology
students are using inside the building.
> The walls, countertops, carpeting and accents throughout the
school feature colors representing the Earth’s five biomes—
aquatic (dark blue), desert (tan), forest (dark green), grassland
(light green) and tundra (light blue), a physical expression of
concepts in the district’s elementary science program.
> Pitched roofs, curved corridors, varying ceiling heights and
large windows make the structure feel smaller and help children
identify their section’s of the building.
Proud to Be Green
The new building exudes an environmental feel in décor and in design by:
> Featuring natural lighting through skylights
> Including plants and trees in the building native to PA
> Incorporating non-mowable grasses on the grounds
> Promoting classroom designs in outdoor areas (amphitheater
and walking trails)
> Installing heat-reclaiming devices for efficiency
> Adding sensors in rooms to monitor and control C02, lighting
and heat
> Including wood paneling to keep noise down
> Topping building with a white roof to reflect heat
Eden Hall Upper Elementary School
> The district named the new upper elementary
school after Eden Hall Farm, which was part of a
390-acre tract of land and served as a retreat center for female employees of HJ Heinz Company.
> Several years ago, the district bought a parcel of
land to construct the new building.
> Eden Hall Foundation donated the rest of the land
to Chatham University.
Eden Hall Farm
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2008 Pine-Richland Annual Report
Technology
a n d
C o mm u n i c a t i o n s
District Earns Participation in Year
Three of Classrooms for Future
The Pennsylvania Department of Education awarded Pine-Richland
School District with $45,413 for year three of the Classrooms for
the Future initiative. Overall, the district was awarded $756,000 to
reform high school instruction in the core subject areas of math,
English, social studies and science. In 2007-2008, the district:
> Installed hardware for 35 additional designated classrooms,
bringing the total to 47 by installing wireless capabilities and
projectors and interactive board mounts.
> Hired CFF coach Danielle Czegan.
> Coordinated professional development activities.
> Hosted a CFF Penn State University evaluation program at
PRHS.
> Participated in online 21st century skills courses.
Accomplishments in Technology
Sixth through 12th grade teachers used Blackboard (a learning and
content management system), to increase student access to courserelated materials and engage them in online activities.
“Now that we’ve thrown this cool technology into the mix, the kids are eager to
answer a question,” said Sheria Carll,
PRMS teacher. “The whole class is ready
to participate.” Pine Creek Journal –
November 7, 2007
Carll was referring to a Promethean
ACTIVboard, which was purchased for
the school through a $100,000 technology
grant secured by state Rep. Mike Turzai,
R-28. The interactive device allows educators to project a computer image onto a
large whiteboard and manipulate it with
wireless devices.
6
PRSD upgraded its network infrastructure, researched replacement
student information and email solutions, configured and installed
technology components for Eden Hall Upper Elementary School,
maintained individual student accounts for access to network resources and participated in the advancement of a regional wide area
network connecting Allegheny County school districts.
Communications
For increased communications, the district:
> Began using a rapid notification system to alert parents of major
announcements.
> Added an electronic newsletter in the elementary school buildings
in 2007 to provide parents with information regularly.
> Added an electronic newsletter at Eden Hall Upper Elementary
School, Pine-Richland Middle School and Pine-Richland High School
in 2008.
> Unveiled the PRHS Virtual Guidance Site, which can be accessed
at www.pinerichlandguidance.org.
Special Programs
Special Programs
“A child needs to learn within
a safe environment,” said
Pennsylvania’s Auditor General
Jack Wagner. “We thought it was
vitally important to add a safe
schools component within audits.
The audit is for us to help educate
school districts ... and they help
educate us. We are learning from
very progressive school districts like
Pine-Richland.” Post-Gazette –
June 12, 2008
School Safety
Pennsylvania State Auditor General Jack Wagner toured PineRichland High School and Eden Hall Upper Elementary School in
June 2008, to highlight the state’s new initiative on school safety.
As part of the initiative, auditors are conducting field audits in school
buildings in Pennsylvania, to make sure they have basic safety
features such as a single entry point and locked windows and doors.
Eden Hall Upper Elementary School has been outfitted with 27
surveillance cameras, an open-door alarm system and a special
sign-in area for school visitors.
The district put in place a new access control system for the middle
school and high school, which include magnetic locking doors,
camera systems and proximity card badges for employees.
Based on the district’s field audit report, Wagner held a news
conference to showcase Pine-Richland School District as a model
district, when it comes to safety.
Safe & Drug Free Schools Grant
> Safe and Drug Free Schools funds support district-based and
regional drug prevention programs. This year, Pine-Richland
Middle School seventh grader Kriepa Venkatakrishnan earned
second place in the Alliance Against Drugs Poster contest for her
award-winning poster “How I Can Help Myself Stay Drug Free.”
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger honored
winners during a special luncheon.
In 2008, there were no tobacco, alcohol or drug policy violations
in the lower grades (K-8). High school policy violations were very
low (i.e., five alcohol policy violations and one tobacco violation).
Dual Enrollment Grant
> Dual Enrollment Grant funds helped support the tuition, fees
and books for 47 students taking college level coursework
through the University of Pittsburgh, La Roche College and the
Community College of Allegheny County.
> Internet based “on-demand” drug prevention education courses
are available to parents and teachers on the Alliance web site at
www.drug-alliance.org. Course usernames and passwords are
available by contacting building guidance counselors.
> School tobacco, alcohol and drug related code-of-conduct
violations are reviewed on an annual basis.
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2008 Pine-Richland Annual Report
Special Programs Continued
Project 720 Grant
Project 720, named for the number of days students are in high
school from ninth through the end of 12th grade, is helping districts
to provide career-planning opportunities for students. In 2007-2008,
127 students participated in externships and informative sessions
with experts in many fields including:
Accounting
Athletic Therapy & Training
Customer Service/ Retail
Engineering
Government
Human Resources
Law Enforcement
Patient Care
Pharmaceutical
Steel Industry
Technology
As this program continues in 2008-2009, Pine-Richland will be looking for mentors from our own community. If you would like to provide
expertise in your field, please call (724) 625-7773, ext. 6000.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger shows off
PRMS student Krieva Venkatakrishnan’s winning poster at
an award luncheon.
State Grants
Act 30 state funds supported high school alternative education
services for 10 students, allowing students to successfully meet the
requirements for graduation.
Accountability Block Grant state funds supported reading literacy
programs and professional staff development.
Program Grants
Title I, Title II-A Grant and Title V federal funds supported elementary
reading literacy, class size reduction and school safety programs.
Reading assessments in Title I classrooms showed gains in elementary program reading literacy. This year special campaigns were conducted to promote proper “hand-washing” and “cover-your-cough”
etiquette. Pennsylvania Auditor Jack Wagner recognized the district
as a model program.
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“My visit to an architectural firm was very useful,” said PRHS
student Lauren Smith, who participated in a Project 720 program.
“Seeing the day-to-day operations helps me narrow down my career
aspirations.”
Budget Review
Budget Review
District Balances Budget without Tax Increase for Fifth Year in Row
> Adding girls field hockey and boys volleyball as fully-funded interscholastic sports
> Improving the district’s technological network and replacing
teacher laptops and equipment leases
> Facilitating Classrooms for the Future grant for year three
> Relocating technology department within the district
> Repairing the parking lot at the middle school and stadium
> Replacing lockers and improving hallways and cafeteria areas
at the middle school
> Continuing improvements at Richland Elementary
(Front Row: L-R) Director Scott Stedeford, Vice President A. Robert Necciai, President
Stephen Hawbaker, Treasurer Dennis Sundo, (Back Row: L-R) Directors Therese Dawson,
Richard Herko, Gary Deschamps, Kevin Nigh and Aafke Loney
> Replacing the high school stage floor
The Pine-Richland School Board balanced its budget without a tax
increase for the fifth year in a row.
2007-08 Use of Funds
Professional Services 3%
The final general operation fund budget for the 2008-2009 School
Year includes $62,257,796 in expenditures and total revenues
of $60,472,618 with an unreserved designated fund balance of
$1,785,178 for capital projects.
This budget represents a zero increase in real estate tax millage,
which will remain at 20.20 mills.
“Members of the Pine-Richland Board of Directors should be
commended for their responsible approach to formulating the final
budget,” said Director of Fiscal & Management Services Doug
McCausland. “The budget provides for the continuing growth of
the Pine-Richland School District, maintains and enhances student
programs and services and supports new initiatives, while placing
no additional tax burden on district homeowners.”
The 2008-2009 proposed final budget provides for some significant
educational and capital enhancements for PRSD. Some of the
enhancements include:
> Following a rigorous and personalized academic learning environment, as outlined in the district’s “Transformation Blueprint”
Equipment 2%
Debt Principal 4%
Property Services 6%
43% Salaries
Supplies & Books 5%
Other
Services 8%
Dues and
Fees 12%
Benefits 17%
Revenue by Source
Federal
Sources
.5%
Other
Sources 1%
State
Sources
21%
> Opening Eden Hall Upper Elementary
> Introducing World Languages in sixth grade
> Providing electives for eighth grade students
> Purchasing new fitness equipment for middle school students
> Adding additional coaches, as the football program moves to
Quad A
Local Sources
77.5%
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2008 Pine-Richland Annual Report
Academic Review
Nationally known author and paleontologist Don Lessem visited Hance Elementary School April 9, 2008 to talk to students
about writing, which is an important component of the Pennsylvania System of School Assessments.
Pine-Richland School District Makes
Mark Academically
Pine-Richland School District is making the mark by achieving in
math, reading and writing at all five school buildings. Pine-Richland
adopts programs that promote rigorous academic standards. A
higher percentage of students scored advanced or proficient on
the Pennsylvania System of School Assessments at PRSD than at
the state level. The federal “No Child Left Behind” Act requires 100
percent of the student population to be proficient in reading and
math by the year 2014. The PSSAs measure whether students are
proficient in math and reading skills. Through 2008, NCLB requires:
63 percent of the students to be proficient or advanced in reading
and 56% in math.
Graduation Rate
PRHS maintains a 98% graduation rate.
District Strengths
> 94% of students in grade 11 are proficient in writing.
> 91% of students in grade six are proficient in reading.
> 90% of students in grade three are proficient in math.
10
eview
Academic R
rict Scorecard
2007-2008 Dist
eading
l – Math & R
Grade Leve
3rd Grade
4th Grade
5th Grade
6th Grade
8th Grade
11th Grade
ts
uiremen
Exceeds Req
4
4
4
4
4
4
District Vs. State
PR has a higher percentage of students who are proficient or
advanced, when compared to students who are advanced and
proficient across the state in math and reading.
Academic Review
C o l l e g ia t e
Scorecard
The PRHS Clas
s of
history of the sc 2008 had the highest College
Board SAT scor
hool district.
es in
Class
Critical Rea
ding
2008
542
2007
Writing
565
546
525
2006
Math
524
the
532
518
515
550
o a r d SAT
ollege B
C
8
0
0
2
7
0
20
Nearly 80 PR ninth graders and 60 eighth graders took pre-AP English and history classes
in 2007-08. These students were challenged to choose a piece of artwork for
their AP journals.
d state scores.
red to national an
pa
m
co
d
an
hl
ic
Math
Pine-R
tical Reading
Cri
565
501
542
494
Pine-Richland
State
National
Writing
532
483
515
502
494
H ance E lementary – AYP M et
Group
Math (Proficient & Above)
Reading
(Proficient & Above)
Grade 3
Grade 4
Grade 5
89%
89%
89%
88%
83%
84%
R ic h la n d E l emen t ary – AYP M e t
Group
Math (Proficient & Above)
Reading
(Proficient & Above)
Grade 3
Grade 4
Grade 5
86%
88%
79%
85%
86%
66%
W e xf or d E l emen t ary – AYP M e t
Group
Math (Proficient & Above)
Reading
(Proficient & Above)
Grade 3
Grade 4
Grade 5
95%
90%
88%
93%
84%
81%
P in e -R ic h l a n d M i d d l e – AYP M e t
Group
Math (Proficient & Above)
Reading
(Proficient & Above)
Grade 8
Grade 7
Grade 6
77%
81%
90%
76%
86%
91%
National Merit Scholars
Graduating Class
Number
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
orecard
Writing Sc
vel
Group Le
12
10
8
10
5
– AYP Met
Writing
)
& Proficient
(Advanced
94%
11
de
74%
d High – Gra
Pine-Richlan
5
71%
tary – Grade
Hance Elemen
5
de
ra
67%
G
–
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Richland Elem
5
de
ra
91%
G
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Data collected
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P ine -R ichland H igh – AYP M et
Group
Grade 11
Math (Proficient & Above)
Reading
(Proficient & Above)
77%
77%
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2008 Pine-Richland Annual Report
A c a d e m i c A c c o mp l i s h m e n t s
A selection committee named graduating seniors Julie Behr,
>
Sara Deuschle, Brenna Jones and Nicholas Park as finalists
in the National Merit Scholarship program in 2007-2008. Only
16,000 students across the country were named semi-finalists.
Graduating seniors Michelle Calabrese, Carolyn Deutsch,
Travis Donnelly, Elizabeth George, Nithyapriya Ramalingam, Vincent Salpietro and Benjamin Whiting were named
commended students and were among the top five percent of
more than 1.4 million students who entered the 2008 competition by taking the PSAT.
> Of the more than 330 students in the Class of 2008, 94 percent
planned to attend college with three percent planning to attend a
business or trade schools. The top 10 in order include: Michelle
Calabrese, Julie Behr, Ben Smithgall, Neena Davisson,
Margaret Christenson (tied in fifth place), Travis Donnelly (tied
in fifth place), Brian Shoemaker, Dana Rosen, Ryan Nelson,
John DeLacio and Kristen Killeen.
> The Pennsylvania Governor’s Schools of Excellence selected six
Pine-Richland High School students and two alternates to
participate in its 2008 program. This year, 3,736 applicants vied
for 788 positions. Students earning spots include: Holly Belkot
(Global Entrepreneurship), Alexis Gutshall (International
Studies), William Miller (Information, Society & Technology),
Hannah Staiger (Teaching), Emily Wobb (Visual Arts) and
Patrice Zigrossi (Health Care) and alternates Alissa Kasunich
(Arts/Dance) and Joseph Paulina (Arts/Dance). Students are
2007-2008 National Merit Semi-Finalists
12
selected on the meritorious basis of their artistic or academic
talent as demonstrated through their applications.
> A record 38 PRHS students were accepted into the Allegheny
Intermediate Unit’s Apprenticeship program for the 2007-2008
school year. They include: Mark Beatty (Biotechnology), John
Bute (Acting), Lauren Chan (Biotechnology), Nicholas Donnelly (International Affairs), Brad Foster (Broadcast Journalism),
Michael Georgiadis (Engineering), Kayla Haskins (Short Fiction),
Jake Heddaeus (Videography), Adam Janssen (Conducting),
Alissa Kasunich (Dance Academy), Brooke Kelly (Associated
Artists-Art Careers), Geoffrey King (Conducting), Kathryn Knapp
(Contemporary Dance), Claire Kortyna (Memoir/Non-Fiction Writing), Cassie Long (Anthropology), Scott Miller (Marine Biology),
Francesco Salpietro (Opera and Voice Coaching), Jill Smith
(Dance Academy/CLO), Jennifer Soracco (Visual Arts), Gabriela
Szewcow (Journalism Careers) Cassidy Welter (Advertising/
Public Relations) and Alyssa Whittington (Short Fiction), Alyssa
Wilden (Musical Theater) and 2008 graduates: George Cashion
(Playwriting), Sarah Cavanaugh (Advertising/Public Relations),
Gabrielle Conlon (Architecture), Kevin Connelly (Journalism),
Carrie Deutsch (Engineering), Trey Dillen (Videography),
Elizabeth George (Marine Biology), Adam Horn (Biotechnology),
Ian Kelly (Zoo Animal Care), Alexandra Kluthe (Business), Kate
Kostilnik (Education), Nick Park (Filmmaking), Nithyapriya
Ramalingam (Nursing), Natalee Ranii-Dropcho (Advertising/
Public Relations), Vincent Salpietro (Advertising/Public Relations)
and Alex Thomson (Civil & Environmental Engineering).
Academic Review
> A team of six students from
the Pine-Richland School
District placed 19th at the
Odyssey of the Mind World
Finals at the University of
Maryland in College Park, MD
May 31 – June 3, 2008. The
students earned the right to
compete in this event by placing second in their division,
during the state competition held at Altoona Area
High School April 12, 2008.
Students Michael Clouse,
Sarah Clouse, Isaac Egyed,
John Matty, Michael Matty
and Tim Skillen presented a
humorous performance which Class of 2008 PRHS Top Three
included a team-created
“problem”. The team was coached by parents Heidi Clouse
and Carol Matty and sponsored through GATE.
> Pine-Richland Middle School students earned third place in the
National Middle School Regional Science Bowl Competition
March 7, 2008. Winning students, who are now ninth graders
include: Jonathan Marks and Peter Pearson and now eighth
graders include: Maggie Burris and Thomas Ferrell. The
students participated in a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car race at North
Allegheny’s Baierl Center in Wexford and in the Science Quiz
Bowl, which was held at LaRoche College in McCandless
Township. Students had to design, build and race model cars
powered by hydrogen. PRMS GATE teachers Kathy Deal and
Leah Reddinger and PRMS design technology teacher Mark
Cadamore sponsored the program.
> The Coca−Cola Scholars Foundation named 2008 graduate
Christina Knapp as a semifinalist in its 20th anniversary
Scholars Program. Knapp is among only 2,000 high school
seniors across the country to earn the distinction. The program
recognizes a diverse group of extraordinary high school seniors
who have demonstrated academic and civic excellence in their
schools and communities.
> 2008 graduate Maggie Christenson earned a spot to compete
at the National Forensics Tournament in Las Vegas, NV June
15-20, 2008.
> Students from the World Language Department earned third
place overall in the individual Spanish language division at the
23rd Annual Slippery Rock University World Language Competition Feb. 19, 2008 and first place in the overall individual German
II competition and an honorable mention in both in the overall
individual German IV and Spanish V competitions. First place
winners included: Ed Misback (German IV) and Danny Nigh
(German Vocabulary Level II & German Grammar Level II).
Class of 2008 Top Three Students
Rank
Name
College
1
Michelle Calabrese
University of Pennsylvania
2
Julie Behr
Penn State University
3
Benjamin Smithgall
University of Chicago
Advanced Pla
cement Te
sts
At PR, all students
enrolled in AP Co
urses are required
Total Tests
to take AP exams.
Total Subject
Scored 5 Sc
ored 4 Scor
Areas
ed 3
564
19
84
159
*Colleges usually
award credit for sc
or
es
of 3, 4 or 5. Exam
from 1-5.
re
180
sults range
Emily Smith earned second place in Spanish II Grammar and
an honorable mention in Spanish II. Zach Dionise earned third
place for German Culture Level II and an honorable mention for
German Grammar II. Other students earning honorable mentions include: Meghan Blumer (Spanish Vocabulary III) Shelby
Grubbs (Spanish Grammar Level III) and Travis Donnelly
(Spanish V).
13
2008 Pine-Richland Annual Report
The Arts
PR Arts Program Proves to Be Top Notch
“We are so proud of all
the hard work the kids put
into the musical this year,”
said PRHS graduate and
Musical Director Tim
Marquette, who took over
for retiring Lou Valenzi.
“We are so honored for the
chance to have the kids featured in a performance on
the stage of the Benedum.”
The Pine-Richland School District is taking center stage when it
comes to its outstanding arts program.
The cast, crew and orchestra of Pine-Richland High School’s production of “Seussical the Musical” earned four Gene Kelly Awards.
Presenters announced the awards during the annual CLO Gene Kelly
Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Programs on May 24,
2008 at the Benedum in Downtown Pittsburgh. PRHS earned:
> Best Musical/Budget III
> Best Ensemble
> Best Costume Design awards.
> Best Actor (Cody Hoellerman for his portrayal of the
“Cat in the Hat”)
This is the school’s fourth Best Musical Award earned, in the past five
years. In all, PRHS received 11 nominations in this year’s program. In
addition to Best Musical/Budget III, Best Ensemble, Best Costume
Design and Best Actor nominations, PRHS earned nominations for:
> Best Set Design
> Best Lighting Design
> Costume Design
> Orchestra Direction
> Choreography
> Best Actress (Lauren Gigliotti for portrayal of Gertrude)
> Best Supporting Actress (Arielle Katcher for portrayal of Mayzie)
Musical Director Tim Marquette and Musical Producer Carole
Rost said they were especially proud of the number of awards PR
garnered, since there were so many talented schools.
14
The Arts
Musical Marks
The district continues to leave its mark in the area of music. On
January 23-24, 2009, the district will host the District One PMEA
Junior District Orchestra rehearsal and concert at Pine-Richland High
School, according to Eden Hall Teacher Susan Wagner. Below is a
look at just a few of the many accomplishments students earned in
2007-2008.
> While a sophomore, PRHS student Adam Janssen was accepted to perform in the PA All-State Band & Orchestra in Hershey
April 16-19, 2008 and was named first chair in the state. Teacher
Brian Scott says Janssen qualified for the “All East” Honors
Band, which is comprised of the best musicians from the Eastern
states.
> PRHS student Geoff King, a pianist from Wexford, was among
five winners in the Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra (PCO) contest and
performed the first movement from “Piano Concerto No. 2” by
Dmitri Shostakovich with the Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra January
26, 2008 at Upper St. Clair High School.
> The PRHS Chamber Singers performed at Heinz Chapel on the
campus of the University of Pittsburgh February 17, 2008. Choral
Director Lee Rickard says students participated in the “Heinz
Chapel Chamber Choir Festival,” which is all a cappella music.
> PRMS students Max Dugan, Kenny Kutzer and Carrie
Leibensperger, Hance Elementary School students Alison
Celigoi and Laura Ferguson and Richland Elementary School
students Melanie Berexa and Sarah Craig participated in the
Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District I Elementary
Sing Fest in March at Winchester Thurston School in Pittsburgh.
Music teacher Jill Linsz says the festival is for students in grades
five and six who have exhibited commendable vocal talent.
PRHS student Adam Janssen was accepted to perform in the PA All-State Band and Orchestra
programs and is shown here performing at the district’s 50th celebration on March 26, 2008.
> 2008 graduate Andy Stadterman (Alto Sax) and PRHS Jazz
Ensemble students Mike Georgiadis (Trumpet), Adam
Janssen (Trombone), John Matune and Alex Toa (Alto-Sax)
earned spots in the PMEA District 1 Honors West Jazz Festival
Dec. 7-8, 2007 at South Fayette High School, under the direction
of Jazz Director Dave Supinski. In addition, Janssen, Matune
and Stadterman performed at the prestigious PMEA Honors
Concert Band at Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland November 25,
2007. Between 500-600 students vied for 120 seats.
> The Pine-Richland Middle School Orchestra participated in the
Music in the Parks festival at Kennywood. Teacher Elisa Mata
says students in the sixth, seventh and eighth grade orchestra
earned an “Excellence” rating May 3, 2008.
Each year, thousands of students and parents participate in homecoming festivities.
In 2008, 220 students from the middle school marched during halftime with the PRHS
Marching Band, under the direction of the PR Music Department.
> Six students from Pine-Richland School District participated in
the PMEA Junior High Orchestra program at Upper St. Clair High
School April 11, 2008. They included: Alena Smigla (Violin),
John Michael Oleksa (Cello), Ji-Ho Park (Violin), and Justin
Wilt (Trumpet) and ninth graders Kelly Parsons (Viola) and
Peter DiCocco (Bass), under the direction of teachers Elisa
Mata and Dave Belchick.
15
2008 Pine-Richland Annual Report
The Arts
TV production student Jeff Burgess helps (center) produce a film in New York City in July 2008.
TV & Video
> TV production student Jeff Burgess was one of 100 young
filmmakers, from across the US, chosen to participate in the
Samsung Mobile Fresh Films Competition in July of 2008 in
New York City. As a sophomore, he helped produce a film
entitled “Regularly Scheduled Programming,” which can be
viewed online at www.fresh-films.com/comedy.htm.
> PRHS earned two awards from the 15th Annual Robert Morris
University Television and Video Teachers’ Consortium Awards
Program in Moon Township April 15, 2008. PR competed against
15 schools from Western PA and Ohio and earned awards in
the “Performing Arts” and “School Announcements” categories.
Graduates Trey Dillen and Tyler Deal and Video Production
III student Leo Frazier earned an award in the Performing Arts
Category for a music video they created for a band called Calling
Attraction. In addition, the entire PR-TV class earned the award
for “School Announcements” category. Teacher Aaron Koehler
says this is the first time PRHS has earned awards at the festival.
> 2008 Graduate Kevin Connelly served as a sideline reporter
for www.highschoolplaybook.com for WTAE-TV 4, during
the 2007-2008 school year.
Awareness Through Art
> Pine-Richland Middle School student Lindsay Miller was a finalist
in the Highmark Healthy High 5 Anti-Bullying Poster contest. The
sixth grader was one of 10 other students to make it to the final
competition with her entry entitled “Bullying Isn’t a Good Reflection”.
16
> Pine-Richland High School student Natalie Ficco, while in ninth
grade, took home a top award in a national contest. She earned
first place in the “Make Sense of Your Makeup” Braincake design
contest and earned a $250 scholarship. The contest was part
of the Girl, Math & Science Partnership, through the Carnegie
Science Center, an initiative aimed at engaging, educating and
embracing girls as architects of change.
The Arts
Architecture & Technology
2008 graduate Lauren Novak earned second place in the nation
in the Association of Women in Construction Architectural Drafting
Competition. She earned first place at the regional and local levels.
At the local level, Shelby Merilli earned second place and Evan
Hunter earned third place. Students in Teacher Jeff Maple’s class
had to create designs for a dentist office.
Judges named Pine-Richland High School (PRHS) as “2008 Overall
Winner” at the 17th Annual Drafting Competition and Technology
Fair at Butler Community College (BCCC) for the fifth straight year on
April 30, 2008. In the architectural drafting by hand category, the following students earned awards: Nathan Irwin (First), Stuart Monske (Second Place) and Lauren Novak (Third Place). Other award
winners include: Scott Simpson (First Place/Mechanical Drawing by
Hand) and Julien Legendre (Third Place/Solidworks 3D Mechanical
Software Category). In the Architectural Desktop via Computer category Shelby Merilli (First Place), Gabrielle Conlon (Second Place)
and Phil Marchetti (Third Place) earned awards.
Eleventh grader Scott
Simpson participated in
the Fallingwater Student
Residency Program July
9-16, 2008. He was one
of only 12 students from
around the US, Canada,
Mexico, Thailand, Puerto
Rico and Korea to particpate in the program.
Each summer, participants
view Frank Lloyd Wright’s
creation in Mill Run, PA,
sketch and learn from
experts in the field.
2008 graduates Catherine Franks (Seventh
Place/Transportation
Scott Simpson
Modeling), Nik Capitano,
John DeLacio, Nick
Feldman, Justin Shao, Alex Whittington and Lauren Novak
(Eighth Place/CAD Architectural 2D) and juniors Ariel Kelley, Rich
Burgess, Zach Simmonds competed at the National Technology
Student Association’s National Conference June 27 – July 2, 2008 in
Orlando, under the direction of TSA Advisor Evan Clark. Team Catalyst took fifth place and Team Rampage took ninth place. At the PA
State TSA Championships held at Seven Springs Resort April 9-12,
2008, Novak (CAD Architectural 2D) placed first, Burgess placed
eighth (CAD Engineering 3D), Caitlin Devor (Desktop Publishing) placed fourth (Desktop Publishing) and third (Extemporaneous
Presentation), Matt Oldfield placed sixth (Cyberspace Pursuit) and
10th Engineering Design), Brian Seaman placed 10th (Engineering
Design), Chris Zoelle placed fifth (Radio Controlled Transporta-
tion), Mike Hagan placed fifth (Radio Controlled Transportation),
Franks placed third (Transportation Modeling). Team Rampage and
Team Catalyst placed second out of nine teams, earning the spot to
compete nationally. Team Rampage members included: Whittington,
Simmonds, Shao, Burgess and Feldman. Team Catalyst included
Capitano, Franks, Kelley and DeLacio.
Leadership
• PRMS student Cameron Barnes attended the National Young
Leaders State Conference in Pennsylvania Feb. 28-March 2,
where he joined a very select group of some of the most highly
acclaimed students in Pennsylvania to take part in an extraordinary
leadership conference sponsored by
the Congressional Youth Leadership
Council. Barnes has been invited to
attend the Presidential Inauguration
on January 9, 2009. Barnes also participated in a People to People World
Leadership Forum in Washington, DC
March 17-23, 2008.
• 2008 graduate Sarah Clouse
earned the Gold Award, the
highest honor a female scout can
Cameron Barnes
achieve in the Girl Scouts. To earn
the honor, she organized the Miles for Meals 5K run in North Park
April 20, 2008.
• The Girl Scouts – Trillium Council announced 2008 graduate
Michelle Calabrese as an honoree in its 2008 Women & Girls
of Distinction Awards program for demonstrating achievement in
the category of technology and innovation. She was honored at
an awards reception on May 6, 2008 at the Westin Convention
Center Hotel in Pittsburgh.
• 2008 graduates Tyler Grubbs and Nate Blandino (1st Place/
Management Decision Making), earned fourth place at the
National Future Business Leaders Competition in Atlanta in June
of 2008. Pine-Richland High School students earned several top
state awards at the PA State Future Business Leaders of America
Competition in Hershey, PA on April 1, 2008. Winners included:
Grubbs and Blandino (1st Place/Management Decision Making), John DeLacio and Phil Rader and senior Alan Boyd (2nd
Place/Entrepreneurship), seniors Cory Lammie, Joe Kwon and
Nick Capitano (3rd Place/Management Information Systems),
2008 graduate Peter Hilton (5th/Networking Concepts) and
junior Derek Feger (7th/Business Law) under the direction of
FBLA sponsors Joe Domagala and Beth Fox.
• The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review named PRHS students Kayla
McMurry, Caitlin Molloy, Claire Senita and Stacey Weismann “Outstanding Young Citizens” for community service and
academic achievement.
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2008 Pine-Richland Annual Report
A l u m n i A c c o mp l i s h m e n t s
Pine-Richland Opportunities Fund Inducts Alumni Into Hall of Fame
Jeff Calhoun
Jonathan Passavant
The Pine-Richland Opportunities Fund inducted three more honorees into the Pine-Richland Hall of Fame on March 26, 2008. PROF
made the announcement, during the district’s 50th celebration and a
special PR’s finest concert at Pine-Richland High School. Inductees
included:
Stephen Frick
Humanity
> Former Pine Elementary student Martin McKinney for his
community work and work with Together for Retarded Youth
(TRY), Inc.
> 1997 PRHS graduate Jonathan Passavant, model and founder
of the Model Home Project, which works to assist Habitat for
the first inductee into
> Stephen Frick, 1986 RHS graduate, was
the hall of fame and was recognized for his recent mission. Frick
commanded the crew aboard the space shuttle Atlantis to deliver
the European Space Agency’s Columbus laboratory and return
Expedition 16 flight engineer Daniel M. Tani to Earth. The mission
touched down Feb. 20, 2008.
2008 PROF Board of Trustees
Calhoun announced that he would sponsor a $5,000 arts award
each year to a deserving senior pursuing a career or degree in
theater arts.
> 1978 Richland High graduate Jeff Calhoun, who is directing the
stage performance of “Disney’s High School Musical on Tour” internationally
President Don Foster
Trustees
Paul Hightower
Vice Pres. Michael Young Sally Beatty
Linda Honeywill
Treasurer Larry Schuster Hank Compernolle
David Lemley
Secretary Cindy Dillen
Thomas Doaty
Beth Montgomery
Barbara Freitag
Janet Rader
Leo Gensante
Patti Sinetar
Liz Gensante
Non-voting trustees include: Stephen Hawbaker, PR School board president,
teacher Jill Linsz, representing the Pine-Richland Education Association; and
Dr. James C. Manley, PR superintendent. Co-executive directors include Anthony
DiTommaso and Rachel Hathhorn.
The purpose of the Pine-Richland Opportunities Fund is to enrich, foster and
promote education, to encourage and reward academic excellence and achievement, while supporting unique, creative and innovative instructional and educational programs for students and to reward, encourage and recognize students.
Please read more about PROF and how you can contribute to the foundation’s
cause by visiting: www.pinerichland.org/oppfund.html.
18
Martin McKinney
PROF President Don Foster helped introduce the new inductees as
well as some retired teachers: Wiliam Machiko, Robert Marshall
and John Seftas.
Athletic Alums
> 2004 PRHS graduate Michael Van Sickle, a Marquette
University golfer, took third in the 50th Annual Porter in July
2008 in Lewiston, N.Y. The college senior is ranked No. 36
in the Scratch Players World Amateur Ranking.
> 2005 PRHS graduate Julia Buck, who is playing women’s
tennis and majoring in Christian ministries at Geneva College,
was named to the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Academic
Honor in the fall 2007 semester, along with 2004 PRHS graduate
James Fawcett, who is earning a communication degree and
playing football. The academic honor roll honors student athletes
who are excelling academically in their studies.
Staff Recognition
Staff Recognition
Pupil Services Director Michael Loughead will present at the Power
of Two: Progress & Achievement 2008 National Value-Added Conference in Columbus, OH on October 6-8, 2008.
Paula Schmitt, director of special education, serves on the PineRichland Youth Center’s board for Special Needs SERVE (Social
Enrichment, Emotional Supports, Recreational Outlets, Vocational
Awareness and Educational Achievements) program.
Dr. James C. Manley earns the 2007-2008 Tri-State Area School Study Council’s
Distinguished Educator Award. Colleagues and family help celebrate the occasion.
Professional Awards & Accomplishments
The University of Pittsburgh’s Tri-State Area School Study Council awarded Dr. James C. Manley, Pine-Richland School District
superintendent, with the 2007-2008 Distinguished Educator Award
in December 2008. Dr. Manley serves as the co-chairperson of the
Allegheny County Superintendents Management Committee and on
the executive board for the Superintendents’ Forum. He is a member
of the Board of Governors for the Pennsylvania Association of School
Administrators. This year, he spoke on “Data Management and the
Transformation Blueprint” at the workshop for new superintendents
in Pennsylvania. He will present the “Transformation Blueprint” again
this fall at the PASA-PSBA State Conference in October 15, 2008,
along with Dr. Bille Rondinelli, assistant superintendent/secondary,
Dr. Mary Bucci, assistant superintendent/elementary and PR school
director Rich Herko.
Westminster College awarded Dr. Bille Rondinelli, assistant superintendent/secondary, with an “Alumni Citation” Sept. 28, 2007.
She was one of only five to receive the prestigious award in 2007
that recognizes alumni who achieve significant accomplishments
in his/her profession. She will be presenting Oct. 30, 2008 at the
University of Pittsburgh’s Tri-state Summit, along with Pupil Personnel Services Director Michael Loughead, PRHS Assistant Principal
John Pietrusinski and PRHS Teacher Michelle Switala, who also
participated at the National Curriculum Mapping Conference in Utah
in July 2007. Leadership Pittsburgh XXV Board of Directors invited
Dr. Rondinelli to participate in their program
and offered her an Educational Leaders
fellowship from the Grable Foundation. She
will have the opportunity to study, propose
innovative solutions and network with other
established leaders in the community.
CIO Finalist of Year
Dr. Ronald Meisberger, technology director, was named a finalist in the Pittsburgh
“CIO of the Year” Award in the Enterprise
category on February 6, 2008. The program
recognizes chief information officers who are
deemed leaders in technology.
Director of Fiscal & Management Services Douglas McCausland and
Business Manager Dana Siford presented at the Public Association of
School Board Officials “Elements of Budgeting & Planning” workshop
on Oct. 5, 2007 in Warrendale, PA. In addition, McCausland served
as a PASBO project review team member in a review of New Kensington-Arnold School District business operations. He was elected as
treasurer of West Central PASBO for a two year term beginning June 1,
2008, appointed to the PSBA Insurance Trust Advisory Committee for
2008-09, and chosen to serve as a member of the PASBO transportation and security committees. McCausland and PR School Director
Rich Herko will present a session on “Designing and Using Paperless
Budgetary and Planning Models to Meet Changing Needs of Districts”
at the National School Board Association Technology & Learning
Conference in Seattle, WA in October 2008.
Business Manager Dana Siford served as treasurer for PASBO’s West
Central Chapter in 2007-2008 and has been promoted to vice-president
for 2008-2009 and will serve as president in 2009-2010. Siford was
recognized for fulfilling all personal, ethical and professional requirements established by the Pennsylvania Association of School Business
Officials. Siford and McCausland also taught a PASBO course “Elements
of Governmental Fund Accounting” on Oct. 25, 2007.
Schools & Community Relations Coordinator Rachel Hathhorn
earned six awards of excellence in the 2007-2008 publications contests sponsored by the National School Public Relations Association,
the Pennsylvania School Public Relations Association and the
Pennsylvania School Boards Association for the calendar, annual
report and Eden Hall poster. In addition, Hathhorn presented a session on “Surviving the 6 O’clock News” at the NSPRA “Power of
Transparency and Integrity in
Communications” conference
in Washington, DC On July 8,
2008.
Dr. Kathleen Harrington, shown here at a senior
citizen dinner, earned the Western PA Librarians
Association’s Advocate of the Year Award.
The Western Pennsylvania
Librarians Association
awarded Pine-Richland Middle
School (PRMS) Principal Dr.
Kathleen Harrington with
the WPSLA Advocate of the
Year Award at a school board
meeting on May 20, 2008.
19
2008 Pine-Richland Annual Report
Dr. Al Wille serves as a board member for the Pine-Richland Youth
Center, on the advisory board at Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Graduate School of Counseling and as board president of the
Northern Area Alliance Against Highly Addictive Drugs.
Dr. Yvonne Hawkins, accepted a position as director of curriculum
and instruction at Chartiers Valley School District. She serves as
co-director of the Slippery Rock University Professional Development
School Executive Council.
Dr. Richard Pysch, Hance Elementary principal, served on the
Value of High Stakes Testing panel at the Pennsylvania Association
of Elementary and Secondary Principals conference in March in
Harrisburg. In addition, he was among 30 nominees for Pennsylvania’s representative for National Distinguished Principal.
middle and high schools in the state on April 11, 2008 at the 85th
Annual PAFCS Conference in Lancaster, PA.
For the second year running, computer technician Matthew Over has
been apple-recertified.
Teacher Holly Angeloff, Laurie Jones and Jennifer Latronica were
inducted into the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International’s Alpha Xi
Chapter, an international honor society of women educators, on May 3,
2008 in Ben Avon, PA
Teachers Earn Record Number
Nominations in PR History
The Teacher Excellence Center honored Hance Elementary teachers
Anne Haught and Shelley Byers for being named to the 2008 Hall of
Fame and PRHS teacher Tom Joyce and Hance Elementary teacher
Donna Faux for being named honorees in this year’s program. In all,
a PR record number of 91 PRSD teachers were nominated.
John Pietrusinski, assistant high school principal, and Pysch
present at the University of Pittsburgh’s Institute for Politics on a
session in regard to the Pennsylvania Value Added Assessment
System at Southpointe, Pa in June 2008.
Pine-Richland High School teacher Vince
Thearle earned National Board Certification
in art from the National Board for Professional
Teaching Standards. He is one of only two
teachers in Pennsylvania to achieve national
certification in art in 2007.
Teachers Erika Ferczak and Rachel Lancaster accepted the Standards of Excellence Award
Vince Thearle
from the Pennsylvania Family and Consumer
Sciences Association for its Pine-Richland Middle School Family and
Consumer Sciences Department for having the best program among
Teachers Tom Joyce and Donna Faux earn Teacher Excellence Awards.
PRHS Varsity Cheerleaders Capture Seventh Place in National Competition
The Pine-Richland High School Varsity Cheerleaders earned
seventh place at the United Cheerleading Association’s National
Competition held at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando,
FL, February 7 – February 12, 2008. The team qualified for
participation in nationals, during a regional competition at Slippery Rock University. The girls made it to the semi-finals, along
with 48 other teams. Winning squad members include: now
sophomore cheerleaders Natalie Cunningham, Ashley Henley, Stephanie Kamenicky, Kim Rossi and Erin Wise, now
junior cheerleader Rochelle Roberts, now senior cheerleaders
Emma Holmes, Alexis Meyers, Alicia McDonald, Jordan
Sender and 2008 graduates Julie Banyas, Caitlin Brunner,
Chelsea Crawford, Casey Garrow, Emily Hitechew, Alyssa
McAnney, Shannon McGorry, Lauren Roberts, Jackie
Schindler and Kara Sloniger. Winning coaches include
Danielle Hitson and Daniella DeRenzo.
20
PRHS Varsity Cheerleaders compete in Orlando, FL.
Sports
Sports
The Pine-Richland Hockey
Team earned its first Class
AAA Penguins Cup title in
2008. However, this was the
third PIHL high school hockey
title in a row for the Rams, after
winning back-to-back crowns
in Class AA.
Baseball
PR junior Mitchell Elliott was selected to the All-Section Baseball
Team.
Football
The Rams earned the Co-Greater Allegheny Conference Championship Title, and quarterback Vinny Nittoli made First Team All-State
as a Linebacker.
Gymnastics
The Rams took home first place in floor exercise, second place on
the uneven bars and balance beam, and fourth on the vault from
the WPIAL Gymnastics Championships held at Moon Area Middle
School on Feb. 9, 2008. Overall the team, placed third in the competition. In the advanced/diamond division, now-senior Sarah Hein
was the uneven bars champion, placed third on the floor exercise
and earned fifth in the all-around. Now junior Jess Pritchard placed
second on uneven bars, balance beam, the floor exercise and the
all-around. In the intermediate one/gold division, now-sophomore
Alyssa Wozniak was the floor exercise champion. 2008 graduate
Brittany Wozniak, competed on the uneven bars placing sixth in
the gold division, despite having an injury.
Hockey
The Pine-Richland Hockey Team earned its first Class AAA Penguins
Cup title, and the third PIHL high school hockey title in a row for
Pine-Richland, after winning back-to-back crowns in Class AA.
PR is the only team to earn back-to-back penguin cups in two
different classes (AA and AAA).
The Saginaw Michigan Spirit selected hockey player Brandon Saad,
who at the time was a freshman, in the first round of the Ontario
Hockey League draft in May 2008.
The Pine-Richland Middle School Inline Hockey Team defeated the
Burrell Buccaneers and earned its first gold medal in the Bladerunners U14 In-House League Championship. The PRMS JV White
Inline Hockey Team earned gold, as well, after defeating Latrobe at
Neville Island, the Varsity Inline Hockey Team placed second in the
championships and PRMS Tier placed third for PR.
The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Roller Hockey League ranked five
Pine-Richland players in its top 10 player standings in their respective
divisions. They include: Nate Fleissner (Fourth/JV Tier II), Nick
Carnovale (Ninth/MS Tier II), eighth graders: CJ Matthews (First/
MS Tier III), Matt Whitford (Third/MS Tier III) and Matt Hrydil
(Fourth/MS Tier III).
Students who made the National Field Hockey Coaches Academic
Squad during their senior year in 2007-2008 include: Julie Behr,
Maggie Christenson, Gabrielle Conlon, Maggie Cuddy, Jessica
Gage, and Lauren Novak. These students achieved at least a
cumulative 3.5 out of 4.0 scale in the first quarter of their senior year.
Lacrosse
Goalie Evan Malchano earned US Lacrosse All-American status
for the 2008 season and player Ryan Nelson earned US Lacrosse
Academic All-American status for 2008 season: These are the
highest level awards given to high-school lacrosse players.
Rowing
The Pine-Richland High School Women’s Junior 4+ Rowing Team
placed 10th overall and the women’s junior 2x team placed 12th
overall in the Scholastic Rowing Association of America’s National
21
2008 Pine-Richland Annual Report
PR Rams Move Up to Quad A
The Pine-Richland Rams Football
Team began a new era this fall, as
it joins the ranks of North Hills,
North Allegheny and Shaler in
Class AAAA. “We are really excited about it,” said Pine-Richland
Athletic Director and Football
Head Coach Clair Altemus.
“This has meaning and is our
chance to bring in bigger crowds
and build new rivalries.” North
Journal, January 30, 2008.
Championship Regatta in Oakridge, TN May 23 and May 24, 2008.
On May 10, 2008, the Pine-Richland Crew competed in the Midwest
Scholastic Rowing Championships against 29 other high school
scholastic rowing programs from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas,
Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, West Virginia,
Wisconsin, and Western Pennsylvania. The PRHS Women’s Junior
4+ was successful in placing fourth overall. The PRHS women’s 2x
also qualified and competed against 12 other high school teams.
Rowers include: Stephanie Zang, Kate Jeffrey, Ashley Wright,
Maureen Hilton, Liz Young, Rachel Hilton and Lora DeVenzio.
Soccer
Students Michelle Calabrese, Tori Pikur, Adrienne Steckel,
Christie Kimball and Katie Wise were named All-Section in soccer,
Calabrese, Steckel, Kimball, Wise were named All-WPIAL, Steckel,
Kimball, Wise were named All-State, and Steckel and Kimball were
named Regional All-American.
Swimming
Senior swimmer Caitlin Molloy earned All-American status in swimming for the 2007-08 season for her performance in the 500-yard
freestyle with a time of 5:02:38. Molloy earned 10th in the state in
the 500 and 12th in the state in the 200 at the PIAA State Swimming
Championships March 12-13, 2008, at Bucknell University. She set
new PR records in the 200 Freestyle (1:56.66) and 500 Freestyle
(5:02.38) events.
22
Tennis
2008 graduate Sarah Lynch finished up her high school tennis career
with a fourth place finish in the PIAA State Championship Singles
Tournament in Hershey, PA on Nov. 2 and Nov. 3, 2007. She earned
sectional singles championship at the WPIAL Championships. The last
time that Pine-Richland had a sectional singles champion was
16 years ago. Olivia Heim finished third.
Senior Casey Watt earned his third WPIAL Class AAA Singles Tennis
Championship over Upper St. Clair’s Jay Jones on April 18, 2008, at
North Allegheny. He is ranked among the top 10 seniors in the country.
Track & Field
Pine-Richland High School eleventh grader Katie Wise took eleventh
in the women’s triple jump at the PA State Track & Field Championship Meet at Shippensburg University on May 24, 2008. She recorded
a jump of 36’11 1/2”. Coach Brian Devinney says this is a personal
best for Wise and a new school record.
Volleyball
Player Carolyn Steger earned a spot on the Pennsylvania Class
AAA All-State Volleyball Team.
Wrestling
2008 graduate Sam Brehm qualified for states as a senior. Brehm is
the only PR student to ever qualify for AAA states in wrestling. He has
had 116 career wins, a school record for victories.
New Initiatives
New Initiatives
Guidance Website Launched
In an effort to provide parents with more information, the district
developed a comprehensive site, which can be accessed at
www.pinerichlandguidance.org.
Specifically, the site will give parents and students access to the
following resources:
Guidance Counselor Information
Graduation Planning
Academic Enrichment Opportunities
Testing Information
Career Planning & Assessment
College Preparation
Alumni Outreach
Calendar of Events
Senior Citizens Volunteer Program
The district is working on finalizing a senior citizen volunteer program.
School Director Aafke Loney says the district is drafting the SMILES
program, which stands for Senior Motivators in Learning and Exchanges Services. The initiative is designed to tap into the expertise
of senior citizens right here in the Pine-Richland Community. For
more details, contact Schools and Community Relations Coordinator
Rachel Hathhorn at (724) 625-7773, ext. 6202. While the program
does not have any tax breaks associated with it, senior citizens are
encouraged to sign up for the PA State Tax Rebate program. For
more information, visit www.pinerichland.org/rebate.htm for
details. Seniors have until Dec. 31, 2008 to sign up for a rebate.
High School Expansion
The Pine-Richland School Board authorized the administration to
approach firms about conducting an expansion feasibility study at
the high school. The building was expanded in 2000 to hold 1,500
students. The building is at near capacity with more than 1,450
students enrolled. The district hopes to start the feasibility study by
January and complete it by the end of the 2008-09 school year.
SAFE/DO The Right Thing
The district instituted the Do the Right Thing/See Act Follow through
Every Day (SAFE) initiative in 2007-2008. The program encourages
staff members and students to be vigilant by watching for strangers
on school grounds and to report incidents in which someone is
harming others. As a result, students have been participating in
sessions about responsible reporting, cyber safety and cyber bullying.
Pen to Publication
PR student Branden Glass earned first
place in the National Daughters of American Revolution 2007-2008 Essay Contest.
While as an eighth grader, he wrote an
essay entitled “I Spy Espionage During the
American Revolution.” He traveled July 10,
2008 to DC to present his essay. Glass
also earned first place in the DeMolay,
“What Is Right with America” oratorical
competition and named winner of NexTier
Bank’s Essay Competition, “Why Saving
Money Is Important”.
Branden Glass
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency along with
the PA Middle School Association named Branden Glass as winner
of the “Month of the Young Adolescent” Essay Contest. Nine other
pre-AP English students were finalists. They included: J. Alexandra
Brachocki, Raychel Shipley, Rachel Baur, Jonathan Marks,
Laura Herrle, Ellen Graszl, Eric Barth, Cameron Barnes and
Annie Milano.
Fifth grader Sarah Libby was named a finalist in the River of Words
Environmental Poetry and Art Contest, in affiliation with the Library of
Congress Center for the Book. She earned the status while a fourth
grader at Richland Elementary.
The Ancient Scottish Rite of Freemasonry named Jonathan Marks,
an 8th grade student at Pine-Richland Middle School, as a winner in
its annual “What My Family Means to Me” essay contest.
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2008 Pine-Richland Annual Report
The Class of 2008 made a generous gift to future generations at Pine-Richland School District. They had a sand volleyball court built near the middle school and
stadium. 2008 graduate John DeLacio, shown here, helped spearhead the project. Photo courtesy: Doug Oster, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
P i n e -R i c h l a n d S c h o o l D i s t r i c t
702 Warrendale Road
Gibsonia, PA 15044
Cover photo (Girl with Flower Pot) courtesy: Kristy Locklin, Pine Creek Journal
Cover photo (50th Celebration) courtesy: Marc Soracco Photography
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